''Angels of the Universe'' (Icelandic: ''Englar alheimsins'' ()) is a 2000 Icelandic film directed and produced by

Friðrik Þór Friðriksson Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (born 12 May 1954; pronounced ), sometimes credited as Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, is an Icelandic film director and producer. Biography Fridriksson started his film making career with experimental films and documentar ...

. The leading role is played by Ingvar E. Sigurðsson, who was nominated for the

European Film Awards The European Film Awards (or European Film Academy Awards) have been presented annually since 1988 by the European Film Academy to recognize excellence in European cinematic achievements. The awards are given in 19 categories, of which the mos ...

for best acting. The story is based on Einar Már Guðmundsson's 1995 novel of the same name, a semi-fictional story about Einar's brother Pálmi Örn Guðmundsson (named Páll in the book and movie). Much of the book is true; for example, Pálmi was

mentally ill A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness, a mental health condition, or a psychiatric disability, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. A mental disorder is ...

and painted as a hobby.

Plot

''Englar Alheimsins'', often called the Icelandic ''

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may refer to: * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (novel), a 1962 novel by Ken Kesey * ''One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' (play), a 1963 stage adaptation of the novel starring Kirk Douglas * ''One Flew Over the ...

'', is the story of an Icelandic man, Páll (

Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (; born 22 November 1963) is an Icelandic actor who has worked extensively in Icelandic cinema, television and stage productions. He became internationally known for his role as police officer Ásgeir in the Icelandic ...

), who slowly descends into madness and depression after his girlfriend leaves him. His parents decide to send him to a mental hospital, where he meets Óli (

Baltasar Kormákur Baltasar Kormákur Baltasarsson is an Icelandic actor, theatre and film director, and film producer. He is best known for directing the films '' 101 Reykjavík'', '' The Sea'', '' A Little Trip to Heaven'', ''Contraband'', '' 2 Guns'', ''Eve ...

), who believes he's the songwriter for

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

, Viktor (

Björn Jörundur Friðbjörnsson Björn Jörundur Friðbjörnsson (born 11 October 1970) is an Icelandic musician and actor. He is a founding member and singer of the band Nýdönsk Nýdönsk (alternatively Ný dønsk or Ný dönsk, literally New Danish) is an Icelandic musica ...

), who signs cheques with the signature of

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his suicide in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the lea ...

, and other special characters. The movie depicts his struggle, both in and out of the mental hospital.

Soundtrack

The movie soundtrack features the compositions of

Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (; born 23 April 1958), also known as HÖH, is a musician, an art director, and '' allsherjargoði'' (''chief goði'') of Ásatrúarfélagið ("the Ásatrú Association"). Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson was a pioneer in the use ...

, as well as two songs of the popular band

Sigur Rós Sigur Rós () is an Icelandic post-rock band that formed in 1994 in Reykjavík. It comprises lead vocalist and guitarist Jónsi, Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, bassist Georg Hólm, and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson. Known for their ethereal soun ...

: "Bíum Bíum Bambaló" and "Dánarfregnir Og Jarðarfarir". The film also includes several American rock songs, though they are not present on the soundtrack CD release.

Reception

The film opened at number one at the Icelandic box office with a gross of $57,163 in its opening weekend, the first Icelandic film to open at number one since Friðriksson's 1996 film, ''

Devil's Island The penal colony of Cayenne ( French: ''Bagne de Cayenne''), commonly known as Devil's Island (''Île du Diable''), was a French penal colony that operated for 100 years, from 1852 to 1952, and officially closed in 1953, in the Salvation Islan ...

''.

Awards and nominations

The film won the following awards: *

Edda Awards The Edda Award is an accolade bestowed annually by the Icelandic Film and Television Academy, and is the most prominent film and television award in Iceland, awarded annually in February. The ''Edda'' has awarded for outstanding work in various cat ...

(February 2000) ** Best Film ** Actor of the Year (Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson) ** Supporting Actor of the Year (Björn Jörundur Friðbjörnsson) ** Supporting Actress of the Year (Margrét Helga Jóhannsdóttir) ** Director of the Year (Friðrik Þór Friðriksson) ** Professional Music (Sigur Rós & Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson) ** Professional Sound (Kjartan Kjartansson) *

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (, KVIFF) is an annual film festival held in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival is one of the oldest in the world and has become Central and Eastern Europe, Central and Eastern Eur ...

(July 2000) ** Special Jury Mention (Friðrik Þór Friðriksson) ** Nominated for the Crystal Globe * Sea International Film Festival (September 2000) ** Film and Literature Award (Friðrik Þór Friðriksson) *

(December 2000) ** Audience Award for Best European Actor (Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson) ** Nominated for the European Film Award *

Santa Barbara International Film Festival The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven-day film festival held in Santa Barbara, California in February annually, since 1986. The festival screens over 200 feature films and shorts from different countries and regions. ...

(March 2001) ** World Prism Award (Friðrik Þór Friðriksson) * Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival (June 2001) ** Silver Dolphin for Best Actor (Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson) ** OCIC Award - Special Mention (Friðrik Þór Friðriksson) ** Nominated for the Golden Dolphin

References

External links

* 2000 films 2000s Icelandic-language films Films set in psychiatric hospitals 2000 drama films Films directed by Friðrik Þór Friðriksson Films scored by Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson Icelandic drama films Films based on Icelandic novels {{Iceland-film-stub